-Introduction-Pinguicula other wise known, as the "Butterwort" is a truly amazing plant in many ways. They come form many place all over the world, depending on what kind they are. Mexican Butterworts come come from Mexico, Central America, Haiti and Cuba. Temperate on the other hand can come from some areas of North America, Europe and Asia. The word Pinguicula is "Little greasy one" which referrers to how their dew like substance resembles grease on their leaves. They come in many shapes and sizes some have really broad leaves while some have more narrow leaves. Some differ in size as big as 5-6inches to 1 inch in Diameter. Pinguicula are known for producing rosettes of very wonderfully gorgeous leaves. Many people like I love them for the very beautiful flowers that they produce, which ranges in color and size as well. There are two groups of Pinguicula, their are Mexican Butterworts and Temperate Butterworts (correct me if I am wrong). But, below I will discuss them a lot more.Pinguicula gigantea with insects

-Basic Care-The basic care for Pinguicula (butterworts) is pretty much the same as any other Carnivorous Plant, but may require a bit of additional care depending on the verity. well first of all basic care is mainly the Big 3 or also know as the Basic 3 which is Sun(light), Water and soil. Which those 3 mastered you'll be pretty much set for taking care of these wonderfully beautiful plants.

1). Soil!!!As you all know Carnivorous Plants need low nutrient soil so they can thrive! Well I'm not gonna lie to you Butterworts are the same. They need soil with good no.. excellent drainage. A good recipe is 1 part peat moss, 3 parts perlite and 1 part vermiculite. But if you can't get that you could try the more easier verison 1 part peat moss, and 2 part perlite works fine. below are some other soil mixes that some users use on here. So over all remember soil that has no nutrients in it. Please avoid Miracle Grow products and especially fertilizers. They can and will harm or kill your plant.

You also need to Change your soil yearly to refresh the quality so that minerals won't build up an harm your plant

2).SUN/LIGHT!!!Pinguicula need either bright indirect sunlight or you could use the easier way. Artificial lighting, either way you go you're be alright. Some species can also tolerate direct sunlight. First of all, artificial light needs to be bright and strong! Fluorescent lights are good ideal is 6500k place 6-8 inches away from the plant for about 14-16 hours. As for indirect sunlight just set them in a south window. For direct sunlight a east window would be ideal (winter maybe south depending on the hemisphere your in.) member they do need light to produce the phenomenon we all come to love known as Photosynthesis.

3). Water!!!Okay, this is a no brainier. All I mean ALL Carnivorous plants need water that is free of minerals! You have to use PURE water not PUR, PURE as in nothing in it. This is either Rain, R.O or Bottle Distilled water. Avoid using tap water, since they could contain minerals in it that could harm your Butterwort. As for watering goes, I would say water each time the the soil start to go a wee bit dry about every day. Also keep in mind of not letting the soil dry out, doing so would cause your plant to go through shock and than death.

Good write up, I would say the most common problem, well at least for me when I first started was keeping it too wet and the roots and leaves rotted. When he says good drainage, he means good drainage.

Thanks for the useful guide. I want my new butterwort to be on a south facing window (To remove some flys that could be living in flytraps soil.) So if I put this infront of a photo frame would this be ok?

A flytrap is the first plant I started with, so in watering I think in terms of more than/less than a flytrap. How would you compare the butterworts watering schedule to your venus flytraps?

daslasher wrote:for some reason when i got mine it dosent catch anything it says that the bugs get suck of the leaves but they dont, anybody know why?

If you're in the northern hemisphere, Pinguicula should be just coming out of dormancy. If the Pinguicula you acquired is a Mexican variety then they form non-carnivorous leaves in the winter (so they won't catch any prey). If you acquired a Temperate Pinguicula then it should look like a bulb known as a "hibernacula".

You may find that your plants are adjusting to a new environment. I've noticed mine can lose their "stickiness" for a short while after swapping homes. There could be a number of reasons for this though (water, light, temperatures etc) so if you find the problem continues or worsens I suggest starting a new thread relating to it with as much information on your growing conditions as possible (photographs will also help).

I don't know if flowering would affect Pinguicula in the same manner as venus fly traps. Pinguicula have a habit of popping up five flower stalks on one plant, so I don't think it will bother your plant at all if you decide to let it flower in future =].